The IJC's Science Advisory Board offers scientific insights and advice to the International Joint Commission on the research, science and policy needed to advance stewardship of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. Key issues in this report are the impact of urban areas, new chemicals and climate change on water quality, as well as exposure to persistent organic pollutants and the risk of diabetes.

A summary of the International Joint Commission's activities in 2007.

Our two countries use more energy per capita than any other, and energy production and use are primary sources of air pollution. The IJC's International Air Quality Advisory Board draws on the theme of "energy addiction" to make recommendations in six key areas for managing transboundary air quality.

While nearly all respondents express strong support for the Air Agreement and recognize its successes, they agree that more needs to be done, and that greater attention needs be paid to developments in the western regions.

The IJC recommends that the governments of Canada and the United States create and apply an "uncommonly strong" Accountability Framework for Great Lakes restoration and protection under the Agreement.

Papers prepared by experts for a meeting convened at Wingspread, Wisconsin, by the IJC's Great Lakes Water Quality Board, the International Air Quality Advisory Board and the Council of Great Lakes Research Managers in partnership with Environment Canada, the U.S. EPA and the Johnson Foundation, as well as a summary of the experts' discussions and recommendations.

The IJC recommends that the two federal governments replace the current Agreement with a shorter and more action-oriented document.

This report examines the spill incidents in the St. Clair-Detroit River corridor to determine whether there is an increasing trend in spills that might affect the public and whether recent spills in the corridor are unique to that area or symptomatic of a more widespread problem.

This document captures the views of more than 4,100 people and organizations who participated in a public consultation the IJC led in the fall of 2005.